Pro-hunters hurt at march (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Pro-hunters hurt at march

COTSWOLD protesters injured at the hunting demonstration outside Parliament claim the police response was over the top.

Dozens of people claim they were injured by police batons at the rally last Wednesday, many of them from the area.

The protest took place as MPs debated the Hunting Bill in Parliment.

MPs voted to back a ban on hunting with dogs by 339 to 155 votes.

Gary Edwards, a former Royal Marine who is now a full-time terrier man at the Heythrop Kennels, said he fell foul of police batons after trying to protect a group of women.

"They were sitting down. One was in her 50s and another in her 60s. The riot police were trampling all over them. I tried to hold one of them back and when I did the blows started coming down on my head."

Will Haines, 42, whose family farms in the Chipping Campden area, received nine stitches to a wound at St Thomas' Hospital after being caught up in the violence.

"It was terrifying," he said. "I had blood streaming down my face from a huge gash on top of my skull.

"I am someone who respects the police and the work they do but at the demonstration their faces were full of anger."

Self-employed farmer Anthony Warmington, 26, was standing close to Mr Haines when trouble broke out.

"We had our backs to the police when the crowd surged forwards and batons started raining down."

The Shipston rugby club player, who follows the Warwickshire Hunt on foot, later had his injuries treated with five staples.

Anthony Spencer, a joint master with the Warwickshire Hunt, said he lost count of the times he was hit.

"I was holding my hands in the air while the batons were coming down. I think it is terrible how they reacted."

The 31-year-old added that he would continue to protest.

"The passion of people at the demonstration was immense. They were prepared to stand there and take what they were given by the police. This is just the beginning."

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Stevens, said that any evidence of over-reaction would be investigated but added: "No one got cracked over the head for no reason."